Hepatitis C infection
Since the virus was first discovered in 1989, thousands of Australians have been found to be infected with hepatitis C. In Australia, there are an estimated 240,000 infected individuals, with between 12,000 and 16,000 new infections detected each year.
In the past it was possible to catch hepatitis C through an infected blood transfusion. However, now that all blood is screened for the virus, most new cases of hepatitis C are caused by the sharing of contaminated needles by intravenous drug users.
Other causes include the use of unclean equipment for tattooing and body piercing. Infected mothers can pass the virus on to their unborn children. It is possible, but uncommon, to catch the disease by using a razor or toothbrush that has been contaminated with the blood of an infected person. Sexual transmission of the virus is very unlikely unless there is blood-to-blood contact.
There is as yet no vaccine against hepatitis C.
Chronically infected
While 20–30 per cent of people infected with hepatitis C will appear to completely recover from the disease, most people will become chronically infected. But even in these people with chronic hepatitis C only a minority will need antiviral treatment in the short term.
The decision to treat hepatitis C with antiviral therapy depends on a number of factors, including how long the infection has been present, the extent of the liver damage, whether the person has any symptoms of the disease, whether the person has any other illnesses, and whether the person wishes to be treated.
Treatment of hepatitis C has improved dramatically in recent years. Since December 2004, pegylated interferon plus ribavirin has become standard treatment for hepatitis C in Australia. A single weekly injection of pegylated interferon treatment has been shown to be more effective and associated with fewer side effects than the original interferon treatments.
Without treatment, 10–20 per cent of people chronically infected with hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-40 years. The risk of developing cirrhosis is increased by a number of factors, including whether the person is obese, drinks alcohol, has diabetes, and whether the person is also infected with hepatitis B or HIV.
Hepatitis C is currently the most common indication for liver transplant in Western countries, and it is the most common cause of liver cell carcinoma in Australia.
Hepatitis C is an area of intensive research. In the future it is expected that testing for the disease will become more sensitive and specific, new therapies will be developed and more treatment centres will become available. It is also hoped that programmes such as the needle exchange program will continue to reduce the rate of new cases of the infection in Australia.
Last Reviewed: 11 April 2005
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